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2011 Women's Soccer Season in Review

The Big Ten enjoyed a successful 2011 women's soccer season highlighted by three squads earning bids to the NCAA Championship. Illinois earned the conference's automatic bid after winning the Big Ten Tournament. Big Ten Champion Penn State joined Ohio State in the championship field. The Buckeyes and Nittany Lions earned wins in the first and second rounds before falling in the Sweet 16, while the Fighting Illini won their first-round tilt, bowing out in the second round.

B1G Postseason Awards: The Big Ten Conference announced its 2011 women's soccer All-Big Ten
teams and individual award winners on Tuesday, Nov. 1, with conference runner-up
Illinois collecting three of the six individual honors. The Fighting
Illini's Vanessa DiBernardo was named Midfielder of the Year, Jenna Carosio took home Defender of the Year honors, and Janet Rayfield earned Coach of the Year accolades. Penn State's Maya Hayes was named Forward of the Year, while Wisconsin's Michele Dalton earned Goalkeeper of the Year honors. Minnesota's Taylor Uhl took home the Freshman of the Year award. To see the complete list of All-Big Ten teams and individual award winners, click here.Lowe's Senior Class Award: Michigan State forward Laura Heyboer was selected as a finalist for the Lowe's Senior Class Award. The finalists are chosen by a media committee from the
list of 30 men's candidates and 30 women's candidates. Eligibility for
the award requires a student-athlete must be a senior and have notable
achievements on the field of play, in the classroom and their community.

Illinois' Rayfield Honored: Illinois head coach Janet Rayfield was named the NSCAA/Mondo Regional
Coach of the Year for the Great Lakes region, as announced on
Saturday. Rayfield led the Fighting Illini to a 17-5-2 record, which
included a second-place conference finish and a Big Ten Tournament title.

The national award will be announced on Friday, Jan. 13, at the NSCAA Convention.

Penn State's Hayes Named Semifinalist for Hermann Trophy: Penn State's Maya Hayes was named to the 2011 Missouri Athletic
Club's Hermann Trophy Women's Semifinalists list, as announced on
Sunday, Dec. 4. The Nittany Lion forward led the nation with 31 goals and 70
points in 26 games. She was second in the nation is goals per game
(1.19) and game-winning goals (9). Hayes also placed third in the nation
with 2.69 points per game.

Where We Rank:Penn State and Illinois earned spots in the final
NSCAA National rankings poll of the season, as announced Tuesday, Dec. 6. The
Nittany Lions (21-5-0) finished at No. 8, while the Fighting Illini
(17-5-2) clocked in at No. 19.

All-Great Lakes: Sixteen Big Ten women's soccer players were named to the 2011 NCAA
Women's Division I All-Great Lakes Team, as announced on Thursday, Dec. 8. First
Team honorees included Illinois' Jenna Carosio and Vanessa DiBernardo, Michigan State's Laura Heyboer, and Penn State's Maya Hayes and Christine Nairn. The Second Team included Illinois' Marissa Mykines, Nebraska's Morgan Marlborough, Ohio State's Danielle Scoliere and Danica Wu, Penn State's Taylor Schram, and Wisconsin's Michele Dalton and Lindsey Johnson. The Third Team recipients were Iowa's Morgan Showalter, Michigan State's Anne Steinlage, and Penn State's Lexi Marten and Erin McNulty.Hayes Named Finalist for Hermann Trophy: Penn State's Maya Hayes was named a finalist for the Hermann
Trophy, as announced on Friday, Dec. 9. The Big Ten Forward of the Year led the
nation in points (70) and goals (31) this season. She also tallied nine
game-winning goals which ranked second in the nation.

The winner will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at approximately 7 p.m. ET.

All-America: Illinois' Vanessa DiBernardo and Penn State's Maya Hayes and Christine Nairn were named to the 2011 NCAA Women's Soccer All-American Team, as announced on Friday, Dec. 9.

DiBernardo
was named Second Team All-America after finishing the season with 39
points on 17 goals and 5 assists en route to an All-Big Ten First Team
selection.

Hayes earned First Team honors after leading the
nation in points (70) and goals (31) this season. Hayes is also a
finalist for the Hermann Trophy.

Nairn joined DiBernardo on the
Second Team after tallying 19 points on 13 assists and three goals on
the season. This is the second year that Nairn has earned All-America
honors.Soccer America MVP: Illinois' Vanessa DiBernardo and Penn State's Maya Hayes have been named
as two of Soccer America's Most Valuable Players, as announced on
Thursday.

DiBernardo was named a Second Team MVP after tallying 39 points on 17 goals and five assists on the season.

Hayes
earned recognition as a First Team MVP after leading the nation in
points (70) and goals (31) this season. Hayes is also a finalist for the
Hermann Trophy, which is set to be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

Chicagoland News Soccer MVP: Illinois' Vanessa DiBernardo has earned Chicagoland Soccer News Player
of the Year honors, as announced on Tuesday. The Fighting Illini
sophomore midfielder is also among the finalists for the Soccer News Net
Women's College Boot, given to the national player of the year.

DiBernardo is the first Big Ten women's soccer player to earn the award.

Illinois News ReleaseChicagoland Soccer News ReleasePhilly News Soccer MVP: Penn State's Maya Hayes has been tabbed the Philly Soccer News Women's
Player of the Year, as announced on Tuesday. Hayes led the nation is
goals (31) and points (70) this season. The sophomore forward is also
among the finalists for the Soccer News Net Women's College Boot, which
is award to the player of the year.